One of my favorite books in the Bible is Ecclesiastes. I have heard people question why this writing was included in scripture. It is so negative they complain. I see it totally different. To me it is one of the most freeing books in the Bible. If we believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God and all scripture is good for teaching, then we need to find the teaching points in Ecclesiastes.
Think about who God had write this book. God Himself gave Solomon great wisdom. Rulers from other countries came to hear his council. At the time of his writing of this book he had lived 80 years being tempted by everything the world had to offer. If you think about it he was tempted with the same three temptations Jesus was tempted with; lust of flesh, pride and power; the same temptations we all face. However, looking back over his 80 years, with the wisdom God gave him, he shares what the Lord has taught him.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 says, “Meaningless, meaningless says the Teacher. Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes 1:14 says, “I have seen all things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind”.
I believe if you really think about those verses you will agree. Everything under the sun is temporal. It will be gone in time and ultimately meaningless. However, if you think about humanity and its eternal destiny, heaven or hell, you can write the reverse of the statement; everyone under the Son are the only things that are meaningful. They are the only things in this world that are eternal. Therefore, I believe the writer is really saying; meaningful, meaningful, only being under the Son is meaningful. If you read Ecclesiastes in that light I think you will agree it is very freeing.
The Teacher lists things that in the light of eternity are meaningless.
1:14 all things done under the sun are meaningless
1:17 applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, but it is a chasing after the wind
2:1 tested pleasure to find what was good, but that also proved meaningless
2:4-11 undertook great projects, denied myself nothing; nothing was gained under the sun
2:12-16 compared wise man and the fool, this too is meaningless, both will not be remembered long
2:17 the work that is done under the sun is meaningless, a chasing after the wind
4:4 all the labor and all achievement spring from one man’s envy of another, this too is meaningless
5:7 much dreaming and many words are meaningless
5:10 whoever loves money never has enough, this too is meaningless
7:8 like the crackling of thorns under the pot is the laughter of fools, this too is meaningless
However, he continues to bring the reader back to his or her relationship with God.
2:24-25 a man can do nothing better than find satisfaction in what he has, because it is from the hand of God
2:26 to the man who please Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness
3:11 God has made everything beautiful in its time
3:11 God has set eternity in the hearts of men
3:12 there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live
3:13 that everyone may eat, drink and find satisfaction in his toil is a gift from God
3:14 everything God does will endure forever, nothing can be added, nothing can be taken away
5:7 stand in awe of God
5:18 man should find satisfaction with his lot because God has given it to him
7:13 consider what God has done
8:15 enjoy his work and all the days of life God has given under the sun
In Chapter 12 Solomon wraps up his thoughts. In 12:1 he says, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth”. In 12:13 he says, “Here is the conclusion of the matter: fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”. I love that verse.
I believe we can learn a lot from this wise old man. Putting the things of this world in perspective has allowed me to better handle the “curveballs” the world throws my way. Eventually all the “curveballs” become meaningless; “a chasing after the wind”. Remembering everything “under the sun” will not last, but the people “under the Son” have eternal value, helps me focus my priorities. Do I really need to “catch the next gold ring” or is sharing what God has shown me truly more valuable?
The three great temptations that entice us all, lust of flesh, pride and power, do not seem so appealing when you recognize they are ultimately “meaningless”. It makes me think of a quote that was on a local company’s take-out bucket. It read, “What is done for this world will so be past, but what is done for Christ will forever last”. I can’t say it any better than that.
When you get a chance, read Ecclesiastes again thinking about the difference of “under the sun” and “under the Son”. Solomon’s writing actually makes me smile, especially when I read “meaningless, meaningless; a chasing after the wind”. It really puts “today’s worries” in perspective. There are very few problems that have any major effect on us. Even when the “valleys” in life appear, we have our God at our side and the promise of eternal life under the Son. Scripture says, “If God is for us who can be against us?” Isn’t that all that really matters?
Christian Life Coach 